Toyota Ireland Ireland s leading motor vehicle distributor - is delighted to announce it is to take over the sponsorship of the Munster senior provincial rugby team for a three year period.

Toyota Ireland Ireland s leading motor vehicle distributor - is delighted to announce it is to take over the sponsorship of the Munster senior provincial rugby team for the three year period starting in June 2004.

The exciting new association between Ireland s most consistently successful rugby province and Toyota, the N0. 1 company for motor sales in Ireland, underlines again Toyota s commitment to the sponsorship of excellence within Ireland. Toyota is further pleased to announce that the sponsorship deal takes account of the next generation of Munster senior players as their backing also includes the Munster under 21 provincial squad.

In addition to a basic sponsorship fee, Toyota s commitment to Munster is further highlighted in an add-on incentive based package related to qualification and progress made in The Heineken European Cup and the Celtic league.

Dr. Tim Mahony, Chairman, Toyota Ireland said: We are delighted to have the opportunity to become sponsors of the Munster team. Munster and their many, many thousands of fans have brought an unrivalled sense of occasion and exhilaration to rugby in Ireland and across Europe and indeed by reputation further afield. In the world of motoring Toyota has had much the same effect. We see the traits, so often exhibited by Munster, of determination, excitement and professionalism as complementary to those of Toyota and we expect this partnership will indeed achieve new levels of success together.

I am putting emphasis on the partnership aspect of this arrangement because I wish to stress that Toyota Ireland intends to be particularly active in promoting this association and we believe that our efforts will help to boost the Munster Brand and rugby in general, as well as the Toyota name. Indeed, I am aware from brief discussions with our dealers in Munster that they are particularly looking forward to becoming involved with the Munster Branch and Team in local promotional activities. While both sides have agreed on confidentiality in relation to the specific sums we estimate that we will invest some 3 Million over the coming 3 years in the actual sponsorship, bonus elements and support promotional activities now being planned.

Garrett Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Munster Branch, IRFU says: We warmly welcome Toyota as our new sponsors. It is very satisfying for us to know that a company of this size and stature, both within Ireland and internationally, is committing itself to the cause of Munster rugby over the next three years. It is a strong supportive statement by Toyota Ireland that I am confident will be rewarded with even greater success in the future by our teams.

Toyota Ireland has a major and varied sponsorship portfolio, which includes:

- The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland

- Official Motor Vehicle to the GAA, which involves Toyota Ireland in the presentation of cars to the Winners and Finalists in The AIB All Ireland Club Championships, The Bank of Ireland Football Championships, The Guinness All Ireland Hurling Championships and the Allianz National Football and Hurling Leagues.

- The Helix Centre at Dublin City University, regarded as the most modern and innovative centre for the performing arts in this country

- The Irish World Music Centre at the University of Limerick.

Toyota Ireland currently holds in excess of 13% of the Irish motor market, it has 56 dealers throughout the country, with 17 dealers in the Munster region.